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Files contains letters, memoranda, petitions, representations, copy newspaper cuttings, copy memorandum for the Government, Ministerial letters and directions, Departmental planning and briefing documents from Defence, Finance and the Department of Health, for example, and other papers relating to claims put by various organisations representing members of the Old IRA and 1916 Veterans for the payment of pensions, award of medals, free hospital treatment, increases in allowances, pensions and review or re-opening of all cases where Certificates of Military Service were denied by the Referee and the Board of Assessors, suggestions for amendments to Military Service Pensions Legislation and other matters of a similar nature. The Old IRA organisations making representations are listed and include, Comhlacas Reamh-Shosa Oglaigh na hEireann (1916 Association of Pre-Truce IRA 1921);Comhnaidhm Oglaigh na hEireann 1916-1921 (Federation of IRA); “Mansion House Committee” Comhairle Pinsin na Sean-Oghlach; United Conference of Old IRA; Cumann Naisiunta na Sean-Fianna (National Association of Old IRA); Cumann na bFianna I gCorcaigh (Cork Old Fianna Association); Leinster Council; South Mayo Brigade Old IRA Benevolent Association; IRA Veterans Association, Dundalk; Old Comrades IRA, North Kerry Executive, Listowel; and Cumann na mBan members Mrs L. O’Reilly, Harold’s Cross, Dublin; Mrs Eilis McConnell, Dublin; Miss Rose Williamson, Dublin and Miss B. O’ Mullane, Rathmines, Dublin.
Includes: copy Memorandum for the Government from the Office of the Minister for Defence outlining the situation to date regarding numbers of pensions awarded under the Acts, 1924 to 1949; proposed new legislation submitted to the Government by previous Minister General Sean MacEoin on 12 May 1956 and opposed by then Minister for Finance ( 3/15110/12 &13 dated 6 May 1957); copy Memorandum to the Minister for Finance attaching copy of Claims of the Old IRA as formulated by “Mansion House Committee” of 1951, showing the extent of the claims and the current position ( /29 to /32 dated 12 June 1957 and /37 dated 1 November 1957); letter from Minister for Finance (James Ryan ) to Minister for Defence, Kevin Boland attaching Memo outlining claims of delegation of Associated Pre-Truce IRA met by Minister ( /45 &46 dated 25 November 1957; briefing notes and drafts as to the questions raised and situation as seen by the Department of Defence are appended to the file and sent to Minister for Defence(/48 to /64 dated 13 December 1957.); Minister decision is contained on 3/15110/65 dated 16 December 1957; the question of “free hospital treatment” for all Old IRA is raised by the Fingal Old IRA Men’s Welfare Society (/104 dated 1 January 1959); passed by Minister for Health to Minister for Defence (/105 dated 10 February 1959) a reply issues on 3 March 1959 (2pp) and a further letter is received from Minister for Health (/113 dated 31 March 1959) outlining a proposed scheme and requesting support from Defence; the situation is summarised (2pp dated 13 April 1959) and following an exchange of correspondence between Finance and Defence, the Minister for Finance informs the Minister for Health that his proposal will be opposed by him if “intended to push it to Government level”(/125 dated 28 August 1959) ;copy letter dated 4 August 1965 sets out details of awards of medals, allowances, Special Allowances, increases in monies paid over previous 6 years and tax or income relaxations granted to military service pensioners such as disregarding increases in social welfare benefits when assessing income etc (/264 to /266); the question of free treatment for ex-servicemen-raised at the Fianna Fail Ard-Fheis 1966-At St Bricins Military Hospital, Dublin results in the preparation of briefing documents for possible Dail Questions on the same treatment for Old IRA. A memorandum, dated 6 March 1967, contains information on the four Military Hospitals then in operation in the State, the number of beds available, average daily no of patients and the Medical staff available-doctors, specialists and nursing staff-( /280 to /283) and other information. Copy correspondence is also forwarded to the Minister for Finance and noted by the Minister for Defence. A statement of costing, based on stated assumptions provides data as to the number of special allowance widows, number of pensions granted and numbers on pay, travel card holders, including cards issued to spouses and the assumed age of wives of special allowance holders (younger than husbands ) and other information of a statistical nature ( /338 to /342 dated 3 February 1971 and following material); letters and supporting/background data relating to probable costing issue from the Minister for Defence, Jerry Cronin quoting “considerable pressure by Senators and Deputies” for the extension of free travel facilities to spouses of veterans and widows of veterans are sent to the Minister for Finance, George Colley (/354 to /360 dated 28 February 1972); representation from the Dublin Brigade Old IRA to Minister for Finance looking for concessions of a similar nature for veterans, spouses and widows and for free medical care and medicines to all members in poor circumstances lead to a reply from Minister for Defence outlining the situation (…. /367, /368 dated 28 March 1972).
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